Chicago’s IAMGAWD drops a short burst of dopeness from his Clypto-produced release “Bloodstained Suede II”(the full-length album version of this track also features RIM and greenSLLIME).
Brother Ali is a truly brilliant artist. An incredible writer who is able to captivate and engage listeners in cleverly subtle ways. Words are powerful and Brother Ali’s rhymes are always a welcome reminder of that. “Cadillac” is taken from the forthcoming album “Love & Service”.
Strizzy Strauss – “Love Is The Currency” (IAmStrizzyStrauss.BandCamp.Com) – Leicester’s Strizzy Strauss has built a reputation over recent years for making music that is thought-provoking, honest and relatable, with “Love Is The Currency” possibly standing as his most moving and vulnerable release to date. Inspired by the sad loss of a close friend, Strauss used this album to work through his feelings, reminiscing on past experiences, reflecting on his environment and peeling back the layers of life whilst offering words of wisdom to the next generation. Backed by well-crafted, emotionally-charged production from musical ally Rabbs, Strizzy came across here as a voice of clarity and reason in a world full of noise and disruption.
junclassic – “Tell me Something i Don’t Know” (junclassic.BandCamp.Com) – Prolific Queens emcee junclassic is an individual who has always effortlessly embodied the sights, sounds and experiences of New York City in his music. With a calm-yet-gritty delivery and seen-it-all-before attitude, junclassic once again delivered captivating five-borough tales on this Clypto-produced album, further proving himself to be one of the underground’s most consistent artists.
Emcee Millz – “Worth The Wait” (EmceeMillz.BandCamp.Com) – This latest EP from Houston’s Emcee Millz definitely lived up to its title. With her lively, energetic delivery, unabashed confidence and engaging subject matter, the Texas artist’s passion for her craft could clearly be heard throughout the six-tracks on offer here. Having found a solid musical partner in producer Skip The Kid, Millz flowed with hunger and determination, offering us all an invitation to come along on her journey to greatness.
Jman & The Argonautz – “Therapy In Session” (HighFocus.BandCamp.Com) – An ambitious live Hip-Hop release with warmth, depth and substance, this album from UK emcee Jman and the Argonautz band was a seamless blend of creativity and vibes which sought to provide motivation to all of us navigating our way through the everyday struggle.
Oddisee – “To What End” (Oddisee.BandCamp.Com) – Backed by an impeccable selection of quality musicians, Washington D.C.’s Oddisee balanced out-of-this-world talent with a down-to-earth attitude on this brilliant album. Having debuted twenty years ago, the DMV producer-on-the-mic is an artist who can confidently claim to have shown growth on each of his releases and “To What End” was no different. Uplifting, organic soundscapes provided the perfect backdrop for Oddisee’s life-affirming verses combining social commentary, political insight and personal reflection.
Count Bass D – “Walter Dwight” (CountBassD.BandCamp.Com) – Breezing through a smoothed-out collection of bite-size beat treats dug from the crates, the ever-impressive Count Bass D presented verses from his usual unique lyrical perspective here which were all delivered with an endearing laidback confidence. The feel of this album was best described by Count himself on the opening track “All Dwight” – “My way ain’t wrong, my way ain’t right. My way is mine, All I gotta do is me, It’s all Dwight…” Exactly.
Andreaus Haley – “Gotta E.A.T.” (AHaley91.BandCamp.Com) – Chicago’s Andreaus Haley rhymed with an urgency and energy throughout this seven-track EP which suggested its title was more than just a catchphrase. Genuine hunger could be heard here as Haley tackled Reg Vader’s rousing boom-bap beats with clever wordplay and a forceful flow.
Killer Mike – “MICHAEL” (KillerMike.Com) – No stranger to creating powerful rhymes and memorable musical statements, Atlanta’s Killer Mike managed to exceed the already high expectations people had for this release, crafting an album that may come to be looked at as his defining moment as an artist. Mike charged through a myriad of emotions here, digging deep into his personal experiences of love, loss, pain, pride, struggle and hope, told from the perspective of a Black man raised in an American South steeped in racism, religion and hustle.
Che Noir – “Noir Or Never” (CheNoir.BandCamp.Com) – Produced entirely by the brilliant Big Ghost Ltd, this album from Buffalo’s Che Noir was another dose of hard-knock lyricism from the talented emcee, giving a further glimpse into the life and times of an artist who isn’t afraid to be open and honest in her music, whilst also being quick to remind the competition that sharp verbal darts can be sent their way at any moment.
Elzhi & Oh No – “Heavy Vibrato” (NatureSounds.BandCamp.Com) – A truly remarkable lyricist, Detroit’s Elzhi delivered another lesson in what it means to be an emcee on this collaborative album with Cali-based underground stalwart Oh No. An invigorating mix of densely-packed, punchline-heavy tracks and concept-driven cuts, “Heavy Vibrato” showcased two individuals each operating at the top of their game.
Lord Sko – “UNITED PALACE” (EquityDistro.Com) – With its cover art offering a nod of respect to Harlem’s late, great Big L, it was clear from the outset that Washington Heights resident Lord Sko was definitely on his New York s**t with this album. Full of character and personality, Sko flowed effortlessly over an expertly selected collection of sample-heavy tracks from the likes of GrayMatter, Arlo Walker and the Lord himself.
Cappo & Kong The Artisan – “CANON” (NoelPolandRecords.BandCamp.Com) – An exceptional work of art, this latest album from Nottingham’s Cappo found the veteran UK emcee elevating to a higher level, using his already impressive lyrical capabilities to push his creativity in new directions. Backed by the meticulously crafted production of multi-faceted music man Kong The Artisan, Cappo got up-close-and-personal with his rhymes, “wading into pools of deep thought” and taking us all with him thanks to his intricate, engaging wordplay.
Lord Juco – “Company II” (LordJuco.BandCamp.Com) – A succinct six-track dose of underground excellence, Toronto’s Lord Juco swaggered across fellow Canadian representative Finn’s swinging, soulful production here and was joined by the likes of Saipher Soze, Rim and Ty Da Dale.
Rome Streetz – “Noise Kandy 5” (RomeStreetzMusic.BandCamp.Com) – Delivering yet another worthy addition to his well-received “Noise Kandy” series, London-born, NY-based emcee Rome Streetz blessed beats from Conductor Williams, Evidence, Wavy Da Ghawd and others with his striking brand of vivid product-of-the-environment poetry.
Double D – “New York City Transit” (FreshWaveRecords.BandCamp.Com) – French producer Double D took listeners on a sonic tour of NYC’s five boroughs with this creative instrumental release. Underpinned by a jazz-influenced feel, the mix of live instrumentation and samples worked well here as The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island all received their props.
Vic Spencer x August Fanon – “Psychological Cheat Sheet 4” (VicSpencer.BandCamp.Com) – Chicago’s irrepressible Vic Spencer and NY-based producer August Fanon are a perfect musical match for one another, with this latest outing from the pair supplying ample proof to back up such a statement. Fanon’s skin-tight loops and unpredictable sonic palette provided an ideal backdrop here for Spencer’s conversational rhymes, which ranged from verses full of humorous punchlines and acidic wit, insight into his personal history and commentary on tragic Windy City street violence.
Fuego Gawdz – “Fuego Proof Pockets” (FuegoGawdz.BandCamp.Com) – Toronto’s Che Uno and Wizdome Bunitall paired street-related rhymes with mellow, laidback production from Vago and Finn on this memorable EP. The combination of raw rhymes and soothing beats resulted in a potent collection of mood music that was ominously mesmerizing.
Kenautis Smith x lyfestile – “KUJENGA” (SomethingWonderfulRecords.BandCamp.Com) – Essentially a nod of respect and love to the culture of Hip-Hop with some social commentary also thrown into the mix, this album from St. Louis-based producer / emcee duo Kenautis Smith and lyfestile cleverly offered both old-school nostalgia and present-day criticism, paying tribute to the pioneers of the genre whilst also reminding listeners of the potential Hip-Hop still has to change lives.
Kakarot & Ghost – “Hello World” (KingKakarot.BandCamp.Com) – Another quality release from Evil Ed’s Hidden Identity label, this collaboration between DSOTM member Kakarot and veteran producer extraordinaire Ghost was a shining example of how good music can sound when it’s made primarily from a place of passion. Colourful, larger-than-life rhymes and moments of introspection met creative boom-bap beats here, resulting in an EP that jumped out of speakers and headphones with character and enthusiasm.
Nas – “Magic 3” (NasirJones.Com) – There was something almost poetic about Nas dropping the final release in his second Hit-Boy-produced trilogy on his 50th birthday during the 50th year of Hip-Hop celebrations. Still sounding as enthused as ever about his craft, the Queensbridge legend proved that he definitely hadn’t run out of things to rap about, clearly taking pride in the fact that with six albums dropping over the past three years he’d reset expectations of what a Hip-Hop artist in the later stages of their career could achieve.
Dom$port & The Kushites – “Da Start Of Sumn Beautiful: Before, There Was Kush, But Now, There’s Babylon” (AllThingsWavy.BandCamp.Com) –This album from North Carolina’s Dom$port was a non-stop vibe. Appearing keen to create his own musical identity, $port drew the listener in with his personable style and in-the-pocket flow, mixing street-smart observations with third-eye-opening lines. This release was definitely based on an equal creative partnership though as producer jGiza of The Kushites played a large part in establishing the album’s sonic personality with his inspired use of smooth, vintage samples.
Bub Styles & Retrospec – “Ramble Raps Vol. 2” (Retrospec88.BandCamp.Com) – Recorded in just one day in Queens, NY last May, this second emcee / producer collaboration from the gruff-voiced Bub Styles and fellow Brooklyn resident Retrospec was an unapologetically hardcore dose of Rotten Apple rap. Styles’ rhymes were as raw as ever, with his tap-ya-jaw punchlines being given further impact thanks to the sublime beats of Retrospec. With a lengthy list of features from the likes of Eff Yoo, Sauce Heist and Passport Rav, “Ramble Raps Vol. 2” offered an essential snapshot of now-school New York.
King Kashmere & Alecs DeLarge – “The Album To End All Alien Abductions” (HighFocus.BandCamp.Com) –Any release from London rhyme time traveller Kashmere is always an entertaining journey into the strange unknown and, as its title suggested, this collaboration with fellow High Focus artist Alecs DeLarge was no exception. An off-kilter, sci-fi-influenced sonic jump through hyperspace, Kashmere (a self-proclaimed “relic from an old dimension”) delivered his usual brand of colourful, shape-shifting wordplay, with a few moments of genuine personal reflection included. DeLarge’s brilliant production lifted the album to another level, with the likes of Verb T, Moka Only and Fliptrix all strapping themselves in to assist on mic duties.
Five Steez & Son Raw – “Re:DEFined” (FiveSteez.BandCamp.Com) – Over a decade since his debut, Kingston, Jamaica’s Five Steez teamed-up with Canada’s Son Raw to drop arguably his best release to date from what is an already impressive catalogue. Steez has always possessed a natural rhyming ability, but the ease with which he floated over Son Raw’s emotive production was a testament to the creative chemistry shared between the pair. Reaffirming his position not just within the Jamaican rap scene but also on the global Hip-Hop stage, Five Steez made himself heard loud and clear around the world with this one.
Mathematik – “Mathuniversal” (DJParental.BandCamp.Com) – Veteran Canadian emcee Mathematik reached out to France for assistance in putting his latest album together, calling on the production talents of Paris-based brothers Parental and Lex (de Kalhex) to bolster his true-school rhymes, both of whom rose to the challenge with aplomb. With a jazz influence running throughout, the flavours on offer here ranged from melodic 90s-influenced boom-bap to hypnotic, ethereal soundscapes, with Mathematik’s microphone mastery shining brightly on every track.
The Colony – “The Price Of Living” (HiddenIdentityProductions.BandCamp.Com) – Longstanding UK Hip-Hop fans will already be familiar with The Colony and group members such as Sir Smurf Lil, Conspicuous and Willo Wispa. Reuniting after a lengthy hiatus for this release on Evil Ed’s Hidden Identity label, the crew proved that ain’t nothing changed but the year as they picked up exactly where they left off, dropping hard-hitting rhymes over great production, with each member carrying their fair share of the lyrical weight.
Jonny Virgo & Kong The Artisan – “More Love, More Power” (NoelPolandRecords.BandCamp.Com) – Recorded as a tribute to his late brother Mighty Man, this album from London’s Jonny Virgo found the artist exploring his thoughts and feelings with a vulnerable honesty, resulting in some beautifully captivating moments. The production from the brilliant Kong The Artisan added real depth here, setting a musical mood that sounded tailor-made for the messages in Virgo’s rhymes. Soul-stirring stuff.
Backwood Sweetie – “Ancestral Aspect” (BackwoodSweetie.BandCamp.Com) – A majestic mix of spoken word, forthright rhyming and Black pride, this EP was further proof (if any was required) of Maryland artist Backwood Sweetie’s unique, undeniable talent. Packing her verses with powerful images and substantial food for thought, Sweetie provided mental stimulation throughout the four tracks on offer here, accompanied by quality production from Gunnar and Skip The Kid.
IAMGAWD & Clypto – “Bloodstained Suede” (NXMEDIXCRE.BandCamp.Com) – One of the most impressive artists to have emerged in recent years, Chicago’s IAMGAWD is someone who sounds like he was born to rhyme, his natural ability and commanding flow demanding and deserving attention. This Clypto-produced release found the Windy City wordsmith using his authoritative delivery to comment on the reality of inner-city life in Chi-town whilst also taking opportunities to dismiss the competition with some explosive, well-executed bars. Chicago never forgot how to rap, stated GAWD on here. True, indeed.
Eddie Kaine & Finn – “Quincy Street Blues” (EddieKaine.BandCamp.Com) – Like Antonio Hardy, Christopher Wallace and Shawn Carter before him, Eddie Kaine embodies the borough of Brooklyn in his music. Adding another dope release to his ever-growing catalogue, this album, produced by Canada’s Finn, was full of well-crafted rhymes rooted in the cracked concrete of Crooklyn’s sidewalks. Kaine’s streetwise verses were delivered from a balanced perspective, with Finn’s mellow beats allowing the NY emcee’s lyrics the room to really be heard and appreciated.
Speaker Bullies – “Art Of Disrespect” (SpeakerBullies.BandCamp.Com) – North Carolina’s Supastition came out swinging on this collaborative release with Maryland producer Praise. Using the concept behind Speaker Bullies to highlight a different side of his musical personality fans might not be used to hearing, Supa dropped forceful verses with jaw-cracking punchlines here, swaggering over Praise’s relentlessly pounding beats with a gleeful smirk and an eff-you attitude.
B. Cool Aid – “Leather Blvd.” (LexRecords.BandCamp.Com) – A hazy, unpredictable blend of Hip-Hop, soul, funk and jazz, this latest release from Los Angeles-based duo Pink Siifu and Ahwlee was as hard to pin down as a trail of weed smoke. Best experienced in its entirety rather than by picking out certain tracks, this was music to lose yourself in and let your mind float away to. Sensuous, breezy grooves took the listener for a walk down the imagined Leather Boulevard, encountering the likes of Digable Planet’s Ladybug Mecca, Dungeon Family’s Big Rube and vocalist Jimmeta Rose along the way.
El Michels Affair & Black Thought – “Glorious Game” (ElMichelsAffair.BandCamp.Com) – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Black Thought’s place in the greatest emcees of all-time conversation has sometimes been overlooked as he’s been so good for so long his brilliance has almost been taken for granted. But Thought is one of the greatest emcees of all-time and this collaboration with the excellent El Michels Affair provided further evidence as to why. Eloquently weaving lyrical snapshots of his life around the exceptional musicianship of EMA, Black Thought took us into his Illadelph state of mind in verbal technicolour.
Cyrus Malachi – “The Feather Of Tehuti” (HiddenIdentityProductions.BandCamp.Com) – Amidst the chaos that surrounds us, the UK’s Cyrus Malachi continued to stand on his square, attempting to shine a light into the darkness. This Cappah-produced album found the gruff-voiced emcee tackling what he sees as the decay of modern society, drawing inspiration from the cold, unforgiving streets of inner-city London as well as ancient teachings and philosophy. Heavy mental music.
Soliheen – “Close Encounters” (Soliheen.BandCamp.Com) – As a former member of early-90s UK crew Lords Of Rap and having provided production for the late, great TY, London-raised, California-based Soliheen has a personal history steeped in Hip-Hop culture. A personal history that is brilliantly told throughout this self-produced album. Playful childhood memories, teenage experiences of racism, music career dreams, failed record deals, relationships, teaching jobs, adult responsibilities, fatherhood. Soliheen took the listener on a roller-coaster ride of feelings, thoughts and emotions, with his passion for music acting as the thread holding everything together. An inspiring listen.
UFO Fev & Spanish Ran – “Painting Houses” (UFOFev.BandCamp.Com) – East Harlem’s UFO Fev has been busy over recent years, dropping a string of releases which have demonstrated both his talent for choosing producers to work with who truly compliment his style as well as his attention to musical detail and quality control. “Painting Houses” (one of a handful of projects from Fev in 2023) saw the NY emcee collaborating with Bronx producer Spanish Ran, resulting in an album that was drenched in city-that-never-sleeps attitude, with Fev’s skillful rhymes and Ran’s atmospheric production conjuring up images of late-night New York drama.
Airklipz – “Road Rhythms” (NyarkMusic.BandCamp.Com) – Full of hard-knock rhymes from South London’s Airklipz, this EP highlighted the UK emcee’s ability to deliver street-related subject matter with honesty and a been-there-done-that tone, whilst avoiding any type of glorification. Backed by the wailing samples and laidback vibes of producers Thugs Bunny, Sunday and 3Banks, Airklipz’ poignant verses hit the target here, give listeners a glimpse into his personal journey.
Eloh Kush x Reckonize Real – “Pillarz” (ElohKush.BandCamp.Com – Enlisting the skills of NY producer Reckonize Real, New Jersey’s Eloh Kush packed this EP full of meditative rhymes covering topics including his thoughts on Hip-Hop’s current shortcomings and his struggle with health issues. Ranging from mellow drum-less moments of reflection to pounding posse cuts, “Pillarz” was a potent package.
Cognac Kingz – “86 Drug Deala Wardrobe” (GrilchyParty.BandCamp.Com) – Philly’s Him Lo pulled on his Kangol, Polo shirt and customized leather, straightened his name-plate belt-buckle, and then stepped in the studio to verbally man-handle the latest batch of beats supplied by the UK’s Giallo Point for this “86 Drug Deala Wardrobe” release. The Buze Bruvaz member’s lyrical approach was typically uncompromising, politically-incorrect and larger-than-life, ensuring that long-standing fans weren’t disappointed.
Tokyo Cigar – “26: The Maryland Era” (TokyoCigarMusic.BandCamp.Com) – With this album producer-on-the-mic Tokyo Cigar delivered a sonic dedication to the state he called home when he “truly immersed himself into Hip-Hop’s elements”, pairing visceral, captivating rhymes with his unique brand of anything-goes musical science.
Old To The New - Ryan Proctor's Beats, Rhymes & Hip-Hop Nostalgia 